DIY Handmade Christmas Tree Garland Tutorial

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Are you looking for a super simple DIY handmade Christmas tree garland you can make for this holiday season?   One that is perfect for hanging on the fireplace or possibly even on the staircase.  Maybe one that is made of ribbon or live greenery? 

There are so many materials you can use when creating handmade Christmas decorations and embellishments.    And since Christmas is such a fun time of the year to make homemade decorations, I couldn’t wait to share mine with you.  

This one is made most likely with things you already have around the house, fabric and cardboard, so lets get started.  

Easy Handmade Christmas Tree Garland

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard
• Fabric  (at least 3 coordinating colors)
• 9  –   half-inch stars (optional)
• Ric Rak Ribbon (that coordinates with your fabric)
• Box Knife (for cutting cardboard)
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Mod Podge
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Foam Brush
• Nail and Hammer  (don’t worry, I’ll explain)
• Jute  – (80 inches or so)

Instructions:  

Begin by taking cardboard and tracing out 9 trees using the provided pattern below.  Carefully, cut them out using a box knife or razor knife.  Place them on a hard surface to cut if using a box knife and cut on the lines.  Lay them to the side.

Next, depending on the number of different color fabrics you are using, lay them out and decide what order you would like your 9 fabric garland trees to hang.  I used 5 coordinating fabrics for mine.  The choice is yours.   

First I drew out a sketch and then laid out fabric patterns to decide how my fabrics would hang next to each other. This will help you to determine how many of each color fabric you need to cut.  

Next to make your DIY Christmas garland, stack coordinating fabrics on cutting mat, place the free printable Christmas tree pattern on your fabric.  Using the rotary cutting knife, cut along the edges of the pattern. 

My rotary knife will easily cut 4-6 pieces of fabric at a time.  So I made 2 stacks, one with 5 and then other with 4 different fabrics. 

If you don’t have a rotary knife and cutting mat, no worries, fabric scissors will do just fine.  You can use a disappearing ink pattern pen and trace the pattern onto the fabrics and simply cut them out. 

When you purchase a rotary knife, I would recommend this rotary knife – it’s easy to use and I like the way the blade guard works on it.  I don’t have to keep up with it. 

Lay aside all 9 fabric Christmas trees after they are cut out.  

Now the fun part.  Using a foam brush and Mod Podge, paint one side of the cardboard and the backside of one fabric Christmas tree.  Place them together and smooth out to flat and free of wrinkles.  

Don’t worry, Mod Podge when wet will be “white” in color, but it will dry clear.  Paint each cardboard and fabric back, smooth out until you have all 9 completed.  Let these dry for a couple hours.   

It could be a good idea to place the wet trees under something heavy to help the cardboard to continue to lie flat.  (I had a couple that wanted to “role up”)  

Again, don’t worry about the dark spots on the fabric or white spots of Mod Podge, it will dry completely clear and not be seen.  

Once the trees are dry, now is the time to attach the Ric Rak.  Beginning at the top of the tree, use a glue gun and place a line of hot glue around the entire tree (not the trunk – only the tree) and then attach Ric Rak to the glue.    Press until Ric Rak is secure.  Do all 9 trees.  

Next, using a nail and hammer.  Near the top, make 2 holes through both the fabric and cardboard.  This will work for “threading” the jute through to hang the trees to make the homemade Christmas tree garland.  

From the back, thread “up” through the first hole and “down” in the second.  Make a knot in the jute to hold your fabric Christmas tree in place.  You will want to measure out how far apart you would like your trees to hang.  Move them into place, tie a knot and then thread the next one.  Do this until all 9 are secured to the jute.   

If you are using stars, at this point, you will want to glue them onto the tree.  I glued my in place directly over the jute, this helps to hold the tree in place as well.  

Now make a loop in each end of your very own DIY Christmas tree garland, it’s ready to hang!  

I love this!  I think it is super cute and so easy to make.  And even better, it doesn’t break the budget to make it.  

So, what do you think?  Don’t you just love the idea of this fabric Christmas tree garland to decorate your home this Christmas season?  It’s something that is simple enough, the kids can help with too.  

By the way, if you love crafting as much as I do, I think you’ll love my Natural Trig Wreath tutorial.  Also, while you are on my site, take a look at my homemade Christmas stocking ornament – it comes with a free printable pattern too.  

Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration you like to make? 

More Christmas Crafts You’ll Love!

• 45 Handmade Christmas Ornament Ideas
• Vintage Potato Masher Christmas Tree Craft
• How to Make a Natural Twig Wreath
• 39 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas in 15 Minutes or Less

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